Each of the nearly 200 NWP sites holds an invitational summer institute every summer. Several thousand teachers participate each year in these summer institutes, and every year new groups of summer fellows at local sites describe their summer institute experience as “a space for critical reflection so essential to good practice,” “causing a noticeable and great shift in all of my teaching,” “the best professional development I have had in all my years of teaching.”

The invitational summer institute is at the core of NWP’s model of “teachers teaching teachers.” For more about the intentional and complex design of NWP summer institutes and how they support teachers as professionals, as researchers, and as writers, visit the National Writing Project or check out our Summer Institute Brochure.

NWPNH Invitational Summer Institute for Teachers of Writing

This institute accepts a group of teachers who use writing in grades K-16. During five four-day weeks in the summer and one follow-up workshop the following year, they will focus on both their own writing and writing instruction by demonstrating and revising teaching practices they have developed, critiquing and improving their own writing, reading current literature on writing instruction, planning various forms of professional development for schools and districts who request their help, and learning a new model of staff development through participation in reflective practice and teaching exploration groups. Six to nine graduate credits are available at a special rate, and participants receive either housing or a mileage stipend. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled: Invitations to the institute will be issued by May 7th.

Advanced Leadership Summer Institute (Returning Fellows Program)

This institute is designed for those teacher consultants who have already completed a summer institute at a National Writing Project site. This institute is for those who are seriously committed to the teaching of writing, and see themselves assuming leadership positions in their schools, districts and with the writing project itself. Participants practice leadership and staff development skills through working with teachers of writing at the summer institute. They also deepen their knowledge and scholarship in the field of writing pedagogy. NWPNH Advanced Leadership Summer Institute meet for pre- and post-Institute staff planning days, and during the same five weeks as the Invitational Summer Institute. Institute participants coach summer institute participants on preparing teaching explorations, share in the facilitation of writing and reflective practice groups for summer institute participants, extend their understandings of staff development and leadership through extensive reading in the field of writing pedagogy theory, and apprentice with the instructors at the site. Six graduate credits are available at a reduced rate, and participants receive a stipend.